Here are some fun shots from our afternoon outside! Enjoy!
Monday, August 20, 2012
Life Without Toys
A few weeks ago, I started packing up the house in preparation for our move (at the time, we were scheduled to close on the house on August 30th).
The first thing I packed up was the playroom. It was a chance to experiment with a concept I'd been thinking about for awhile: can we live without toys?
The answer was overwhelmingly: Yes!!
During nap, I packed up the entire playroom; except a few beloved stuffed animals, some books, drawing paper, paint, colored pencils, and crayons.
For the past 2 weeks, Josie has played exclusively with these items or she's been outdoors (usually both at the same time).
I really love the idea of having a home without "toys". I'd much rather have a home filled with fun and simple play things (that we learn from as well).
I am currently debating whether or not we'll even unpack our playroom toy boxes when we move into the new house; or if we'll give most of them away.
I think we'll probably keep the really high quality toys (like our Plan Toys items) but put them away for the next baby; since Josie is totally uninterested in them anyway
I am really excited about the idea of keeping our home simple (and toy free). We'll see how long we will be able to keep this up (after birthdays and Christmas).
The first thing I packed up was the playroom. It was a chance to experiment with a concept I'd been thinking about for awhile: can we live without toys?
The answer was overwhelmingly: Yes!!
During nap, I packed up the entire playroom; except a few beloved stuffed animals, some books, drawing paper, paint, colored pencils, and crayons.
For the past 2 weeks, Josie has played exclusively with these items or she's been outdoors (usually both at the same time).
I really love the idea of having a home without "toys". I'd much rather have a home filled with fun and simple play things (that we learn from as well).
I am currently debating whether or not we'll even unpack our playroom toy boxes when we move into the new house; or if we'll give most of them away.
I think we'll probably keep the really high quality toys (like our Plan Toys items) but put them away for the next baby; since Josie is totally uninterested in them anyway
I am really excited about the idea of keeping our home simple (and toy free). We'll see how long we will be able to keep this up (after birthdays and Christmas).
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Review of Products I've Made
Wow! I must really have a lot of time on my hands this week if I'm posting TWICE in 2 days! Lucky you!
Since summer began, I've been on a "green initiative" when it comes to my own health and beauty products. We are slowly trying to eliminate chemicals and toxins from our everyday lives; but that is no easy feat!
I've decided to start small, and focus on the products that come in direct contact with our/my body.
Last week, I made: toothpaste, deodorant, toner, and face cleanser.
Here are the recipes I used (and my reviews of how the products turned out thus far):
The concept of this face wash is simple: oil draws out "gunk" from your skin then leaves it moisturized.
The castor oil pulls out "impurities" that live below your skin's surface and the almond oil helps to keep your skin soft.
Here's What You'll Need:
-1 part castor oil
-1 part almond, olive, or jojoba oil (I used almond since I happened to have a bottle of it!)
-3 drops tea tree oil (optional; if you have breakouts before using this, then use tea tree oil...if not, then skip it)
Fill a small squeeze bottle with 2 tbs castor oil and 2 tbs almond oil (plus 3 drops tea tree oil). While your face is still dry, apply a quarter-sized amount of oil to your face. Rub in for about a minute (massaging your face, not scrubbing). Now, get a wash cloth as hot as you can stand, and let that sit on your face for about a minute. The hot cloth will open up your pores, and allow the oil to sink in deep; to help pull junk to the surface. Use the hot wash cloth to wipe up excess oil. Done! I do this right before bed, and skip it in the morning (since my mornings are far more busy than my evenings) but I think it is recommended to do it twice a day to see quicker results.
Review:
I noticed right away that my skin was softer! I even woke up without dry skin! Since the whole point of the castor oil is to "draw out the gunk", expect to have some gross breakouts after a couple of days. Don't fret, this is what is supposed to happen! You want all the gross stuff OUT of your pores (and gone forever). Around day 5 my post-cleanser breakouts were nearly gone. My skin (mainly my forehead) was constantly covered in bumps (from clogged pores) before. Now, my face is actually smooth! I still have some "problem areas" (around my temples), but those are much smoother too (and less red).
On days that I wear makeup, I use my Burt's Bees Face Towelettes to clean the makeup off of my face, then I use the oil cleanser.
There are several DIY toner recipes out there. Most of them call for witch hazel; which I did not have on hand. I did however have ACV on hand! The more I read about this vinegar, the more amazed I am at all the health benefits of it (Did you know, it's recommended to take a tablespoon of ACV daily to aid in digestion?).
Here's What You'll Need:
-1 part Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar
-1 part water
Fill a small container with your mixture. Apply like you would any toner (using a cotton ball or cotton round). Done!
Review:
This was the one DIY product that I was most skeptical about. I've tried nearly all "natural" deodorants on the market, and always end the day with that "hippy stank". Before making this deodorant, I was using Degree Men's Deodorant (which I've used on and off since high school). I wasn't comfortable having all of those chemicals and toxins applied directly on to breast tissue (since breast tissue extends into your armpit). I felt like that just can't be good in the long run. However, after making/using this super simple homemade deodorant I will NEVER go back to store bought stuff again!!
Here's What You'll Need:
-1/3 cup baking soda
-1/3 cup cornstarch
-3 tbs Vitamin E Oil
-3 tbs Coconut Oil
-10 drops pure lavender essential oil
-10 drops pure eucalyptus essential oil
-1 tbs water
-empty deodorant container
In a medium sized bowl, add the baking soda, cornstarch, oils, and essential oils. Stir to combine. Add the tablespoon of water. Stir to combine. First, make sure that the deodorant container is "wound" back down to the bottom (the inside looks kind of like a large screw, so you want to "reset it" before filling, so you will be able to "wind it up" as you need more deodorant). Carefully add the mixture to the container one spoonful at a time. After each spoonful, tap the container on a hard, flat surface; this will force any air pockets out of the deodorant and give you more room! Fill to the top. Wipe off excess mixture and put the cap on it! Find a small container to store any leftover deodorant (I had about 2 ounces left). Let "set up" in the fridge for 24 hours. Keep it stored in the fridge.
Review:
I LOVE this stuff!! It absolutely works better than the "super strong" men's deodorant that I normally used. I definitely put it to the test this weekend too. On Sunday we went for a day hike, then about 8 hours later I went on a 3 mile run in the nearly 90 degree heat without reapplying it! Not only did I not smell, I noticed that I wasn't as sweaty afterwards either (still a hot, sweaty mess post-run...but my underarms stopped sweating much sooner than the rest of me). Even Tim tried it out this weekend and had great results! If anything, the only thing you smell is the coconut oil (I might add more essential oils next time). If you are nervous about trying a homemade deodorant, I suggest trying it out on the weekend. The only thing that might take some getting used to, is going to the fridge to put on deodorant. However, I'm always in the fridge first thing in the morning anyway (someone's gotta make the JBird breakfast!), so it's really no inconvenience what so ever.
I take excellent care of my teeth. I floss everyday. I brush at least twice a day. I *still* wear my retainers every night (to prevent myself from grinding my teeth while I sleep). Heck, I even use dental tools to scrape away plaque at least once a month! Despite all of this, I still have decay issues. I've tried every toothpaste known to man. I've even used super heavy duty fluoride mouthwash with little luck. In May, my dentist gave me a special paste to help "remineralize" my teeth. Then it occurred to me: Wait! Why can't my teeth remineralize themselves? If all other areas of my body can heal itself...then why haven't my teeth been able to do that (and obviously it's possible if this paste exists). Plus, I really wasn't comfortable using this "Just Approved By The FDA" paste (since the FDA approves all kinds of horrible things nowadays). So, I did some research. As it turns out, the glycerin found in nearly ALL store bought toothpaste (even all natural stuff) leaves a coating on our teeth; and prevents them from naturally remineralizing. There's this whole underground movement out there about fighting tooth decay by going against nearly everything we've been taught! The more I looked into it, the more I discovered that a lot of folks out there have had great success in reversing decay by switching to homemade tooth soap.
Here's What You'll Need:
-2 tsp liquid Dr Bronner's soap (the recipe I found calls for unscented BUT I used peppermint b/c that's what I had)
-4 Tbs coconut oil
-1 Tbs water
-1/2 tsp stevia powder
-10 drops of pure peppermint essential oil
-10 drops of pure spearmint essential oil (the original recipe also suggests swapping the spearmint for sweet orange essential oil)
In a small sauce pan, melt the coconut oil on low heat. Add the water and soap; continually stir. Whisk in the stevia powder. Remove from heat and add the essential oils. Stir until the mixture is lukewarm. Carefully pour into a small squeeze bottle (a funnel might be helpful). You can also store it in a jar, or in a "pump top" container (or a sweet jar/pump top hybrid thing that I see floating around Pinterest). Let "set up" in the fridge for about an hour (the coconut oil will return to it's solid form). Store it in the bathroom like you would "normal" toothpaste.
Review:
We've only been using this a few days, but so far I like it. Your teeth feel really clean afterwards! Don't expect to get the "super foaming/rabid dog-look" results that you normally get from brushing your teeth with normal toothpaste. Also, since there is no "whitening agent" in this toothpaste, be prepared to find another way to whiten your teeth (I've heard that "swishing" with peroxide 2 times a day for a week will whiten your teeth really well...just don't swallow it..yuck). There is a slight coconut-ty aftertaste, but if you pair this tooth soap with an all natural mouthwash you'll be good to go. We've been using a small cup of water with 1-2 drops of peppermint oil as our mouthwash and I love it way more than any store bought stuff. My teeth and breath feel WAY fresher afterwards. The true test will be when I go to the dentist in 3 months. If my decay levels are lower, we'll know it works!
Since summer began, I've been on a "green initiative" when it comes to my own health and beauty products. We are slowly trying to eliminate chemicals and toxins from our everyday lives; but that is no easy feat!
I've decided to start small, and focus on the products that come in direct contact with our/my body.
Last week, I made: toothpaste, deodorant, toner, and face cleanser.
Here are the recipes I used (and my reviews of how the products turned out thus far):
Oil Cleansing Face Wash
The concept of this face wash is simple: oil draws out "gunk" from your skin then leaves it moisturized.
The castor oil pulls out "impurities" that live below your skin's surface and the almond oil helps to keep your skin soft.
Here's What You'll Need:
-1 part almond, olive, or jojoba oil (I used almond since I happened to have a bottle of it!)
-3 drops tea tree oil (optional; if you have breakouts before using this, then use tea tree oil...if not, then skip it)
Fill a small squeeze bottle with 2 tbs castor oil and 2 tbs almond oil (plus 3 drops tea tree oil). While your face is still dry, apply a quarter-sized amount of oil to your face. Rub in for about a minute (massaging your face, not scrubbing). Now, get a wash cloth as hot as you can stand, and let that sit on your face for about a minute. The hot cloth will open up your pores, and allow the oil to sink in deep; to help pull junk to the surface. Use the hot wash cloth to wipe up excess oil. Done! I do this right before bed, and skip it in the morning (since my mornings are far more busy than my evenings) but I think it is recommended to do it twice a day to see quicker results.
Review:
I noticed right away that my skin was softer! I even woke up without dry skin! Since the whole point of the castor oil is to "draw out the gunk", expect to have some gross breakouts after a couple of days. Don't fret, this is what is supposed to happen! You want all the gross stuff OUT of your pores (and gone forever). Around day 5 my post-cleanser breakouts were nearly gone. My skin (mainly my forehead) was constantly covered in bumps (from clogged pores) before. Now, my face is actually smooth! I still have some "problem areas" (around my temples), but those are much smoother too (and less red).
On days that I wear makeup, I use my Burt's Bees Face Towelettes to clean the makeup off of my face, then I use the oil cleanser.
Apple Cider Vinegar Toner
There are several DIY toner recipes out there. Most of them call for witch hazel; which I did not have on hand. I did however have ACV on hand! The more I read about this vinegar, the more amazed I am at all the health benefits of it (Did you know, it's recommended to take a tablespoon of ACV daily to aid in digestion?).
Here's What You'll Need:
-1 part Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar
-1 part water
Fill a small container with your mixture. Apply like you would any toner (using a cotton ball or cotton round). Done!
Review:
First things first: your face WILL smell like vinegar right after you use this. However, the scent fades pretty quickly. I use this after using the Oil Cleanser to: a) help soak up extra oil and b) calm my skin. Before using the toner, I constantly had large cyst-like pimples near my hair line. Now, they are significantly smaller, less red, and nearly gone! I'm guessing after 2-4 weeks of using this toner, my "problem areas" will no longer be problematic! I've also noticed that the discoloration, that I had on my cheeks from past acne-related issues, has begun to fade!
Deodorant
Here's What You'll Need:
-1/3 cup baking soda
-1/3 cup cornstarch
-3 tbs Vitamin E Oil
-3 tbs Coconut Oil
-10 drops pure lavender essential oil
-10 drops pure eucalyptus essential oil
-1 tbs water
-empty deodorant container
In a medium sized bowl, add the baking soda, cornstarch, oils, and essential oils. Stir to combine. Add the tablespoon of water. Stir to combine. First, make sure that the deodorant container is "wound" back down to the bottom (the inside looks kind of like a large screw, so you want to "reset it" before filling, so you will be able to "wind it up" as you need more deodorant). Carefully add the mixture to the container one spoonful at a time. After each spoonful, tap the container on a hard, flat surface; this will force any air pockets out of the deodorant and give you more room! Fill to the top. Wipe off excess mixture and put the cap on it! Find a small container to store any leftover deodorant (I had about 2 ounces left). Let "set up" in the fridge for 24 hours. Keep it stored in the fridge.
Review:
I LOVE this stuff!! It absolutely works better than the "super strong" men's deodorant that I normally used. I definitely put it to the test this weekend too. On Sunday we went for a day hike, then about 8 hours later I went on a 3 mile run in the nearly 90 degree heat without reapplying it! Not only did I not smell, I noticed that I wasn't as sweaty afterwards either (still a hot, sweaty mess post-run...but my underarms stopped sweating much sooner than the rest of me). Even Tim tried it out this weekend and had great results! If anything, the only thing you smell is the coconut oil (I might add more essential oils next time). If you are nervous about trying a homemade deodorant, I suggest trying it out on the weekend. The only thing that might take some getting used to, is going to the fridge to put on deodorant. However, I'm always in the fridge first thing in the morning anyway (someone's gotta make the JBird breakfast!), so it's really no inconvenience what so ever.
Toothpaste
I take excellent care of my teeth. I floss everyday. I brush at least twice a day. I *still* wear my retainers every night (to prevent myself from grinding my teeth while I sleep). Heck, I even use dental tools to scrape away plaque at least once a month! Despite all of this, I still have decay issues. I've tried every toothpaste known to man. I've even used super heavy duty fluoride mouthwash with little luck. In May, my dentist gave me a special paste to help "remineralize" my teeth. Then it occurred to me: Wait! Why can't my teeth remineralize themselves? If all other areas of my body can heal itself...then why haven't my teeth been able to do that (and obviously it's possible if this paste exists). Plus, I really wasn't comfortable using this "Just Approved By The FDA" paste (since the FDA approves all kinds of horrible things nowadays). So, I did some research. As it turns out, the glycerin found in nearly ALL store bought toothpaste (even all natural stuff) leaves a coating on our teeth; and prevents them from naturally remineralizing. There's this whole underground movement out there about fighting tooth decay by going against nearly everything we've been taught! The more I looked into it, the more I discovered that a lot of folks out there have had great success in reversing decay by switching to homemade tooth soap.
Here's What You'll Need:
-4 Tbs coconut oil
-1 Tbs water
-1/2 tsp stevia powder
-10 drops of pure peppermint essential oil
-10 drops of pure spearmint essential oil (the original recipe also suggests swapping the spearmint for sweet orange essential oil)
In a small sauce pan, melt the coconut oil on low heat. Add the water and soap; continually stir. Whisk in the stevia powder. Remove from heat and add the essential oils. Stir until the mixture is lukewarm. Carefully pour into a small squeeze bottle (a funnel might be helpful). You can also store it in a jar, or in a "pump top" container (or a sweet jar/pump top hybrid thing that I see floating around Pinterest). Let "set up" in the fridge for about an hour (the coconut oil will return to it's solid form). Store it in the bathroom like you would "normal" toothpaste.
Review:
We've only been using this a few days, but so far I like it. Your teeth feel really clean afterwards! Don't expect to get the "super foaming/rabid dog-look" results that you normally get from brushing your teeth with normal toothpaste. Also, since there is no "whitening agent" in this toothpaste, be prepared to find another way to whiten your teeth (I've heard that "swishing" with peroxide 2 times a day for a week will whiten your teeth really well...just don't swallow it..yuck). There is a slight coconut-ty aftertaste, but if you pair this tooth soap with an all natural mouthwash you'll be good to go. We've been using a small cup of water with 1-2 drops of peppermint oil as our mouthwash and I love it way more than any store bought stuff. My teeth and breath feel WAY fresher afterwards. The true test will be when I go to the dentist in 3 months. If my decay levels are lower, we'll know it works!
Monday, August 6, 2012
Backyard Fun!
It's been FOR-EVER since I last posted anything!
I don't really have anything new to share; instead, I will share some new photos of Josie!
Enjoy!
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| Painting this morning! Notice the sweet "ink" that Josie gave herself with marker. Total BA. |
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| Our Painting! |
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| Josie's counting goes something like this: "Uhn" |
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| "Tew" |
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| ..."Tew" |
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| ..."uh, tew?" (me: three!)... "Tee!" |
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| I throw my hands up in the air sometimes... |
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| Look! It's a zucchini! |
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| Yes, really get that paint in there...make sure you get your money's worth at bathtime tonight |
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